Apple Sold More Watches Than Every Swiss Watchmaker Combined in 2019
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Apple shipped about 30.7 million units globally throughout 2019, according to new data via Strategy Analytics. That’s up 36 percent year-over-year from the 22.5 million units Apple is estimated to have shipped in 2018.
Now, compare that to the Swiss watch industry, which includes every single watch maker based in Switzerland. The industry shipped about 21.1 million units worldwide. That number isn’t just lower than Apple’s, it’s also a 13 percent drop from the 24.2 million units sold the year before.
“Analog wristwatches remain popular among older consumers, but younger buyers are tipping toward smartwatches and computerized wristwear,” Strategy Analytics Executive Director Neil Mawston said.
The Apple Watch is largely considered to be one of Apple’s most popular products over the last few years. Last quarter, the company’s wearables sector set an all-time record in growth with $10 billion in revenue, and Apple added that it’s now the size of a Fortune 150 company.
In addition to the Apple Watch, the Wearables, Home and Accessories category also includes popular devices like AirPods and Beats headphones, as well as HomePod.
And it seems like more and more people are ditching analog wristwatches in favor of the Apple wearable device. In Apple’s last earnings call, the company said one three out of four Apple Watch buyers were first-time owners.
It’s worth noting that Apple doesn’t disclose specific sales numbers anymore, so these are just estimates. But, of course, the numbers do line up with the fact that the Apple Watch is wildly popular in many markets.
As far as why, sensor analyst Steven Waltzer suggests that Apple is just delivering a “better product through deeper retail channels,” and that the Apple Watch is appealing to a younger demographic who want smart wrist wear.
He also added that Swiss watchmakers are losing the overall smartwatch wars.
“The window for Swiss watch brands to make an impact in smartwatches is closing,“ Waltzer said “Time may be running out for Swatch, Tissot, TAG Heuer, and others.”
